Submitted by Sean Williams on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 15:06
A top paleontologist has discovered the remains of five ancient crocodile species in the Sahara desert. Paul Sereno, National Geographic's resident expert in the field, has dubbed the suite of SuperCrocs after the characteristics they share with other modern animals. The group, found on a windswept stretch of rock and dunes, are proof of an obscure era when the crocs roamed the southern land mass of Gondwana, some 100 million years ago.
The most spectacular of the five is SuperCroc itself, weighing in at a whopping 8 tons, and measuring over 40 feet. Four of the five had 'upright' legs which stretched out below them, rather than those of today's species which come out from the side. The list includes such oddities as DuckCroc and the flat-faced PancakeCroc.
The Nile delta has long been a fertile region that supports many of Africa's fauna, from the large aquatic hippos to the light-as-air falcons. The Ancient Egyptians appreciated the animals that walked among them, viewing some as personifications of the gods.
Animals were incorporatied into daily life as well as into their religion. In King Tut Virtual, you can experience an exotic world in which hippos and crocodiles roam the Nile. Keep and eye out for this top 5:
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Rich households also kept monkeys and baboons in captivity, although they only lived from six to ten years due to a lack of proper exercise and diet
A top paleontologist has discovered the remains of five ancient crocodile species in the Sahara desert. Paul Sereno, National Geographic's resident expert in the field, has dubbed the suite of SuperCrocs after the characteristics they share with other modern animals. The group, found on a windswept stretch of rock and dunes, are proof of an obscure era when the crocs roamed the southern land mass of Gondwana, some 100 million years ago.
